Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef has denied that the company plans to hand over operations of the VIP terminal and ground handling of Velana International Airport (VIA) to Dubai-based Jetex for 25 years.
According to documents circulating since last week, Jetex's proposal requested that MACL provide land for a brand new VIP terminal and a ramp for parking flights at the airport. The VIP terminal is currently operated by MACL.
Shareef refused to comment when contacted by Adhadhu.
But in an interview with Mihaaru, he denied the reports and said MACL does not plan to hand over any terminals of VIA to a foreign company.
According to reports, the proposal was presented through business tycoon and presidential advisor Mohamed Ali Janah. He did not respond to a request for comment.
A similar proposal was submitted to the MACL board during the initial days of the current administration. The matter was discussed during board meetings.
Some board members told Adhadhu on condition of anonymity that the proposal was rejected.
“We discussed at the time that before talking about handing over the VIP terminal to a foreign company, we should look at the benefits of operating the terminal by MACL and whether it is feasible,” a source said.
